Car Crashes Into North Tonawanda Home Prompting Evacuation Due to Gas Leak

Emergency crews evacuated a home on Ward Road in North Tonawanda late Thursday morning after a car slammed into the residence damaging a gas meter and causing a gas leak.

The crash occurred shortly after 11am on the 300 block of Ward Road. First responders from the North Tonawanda Police and Fire Departments, along with Twin City Ambulance, arrived on the scene to find a vehicle had struck the home hitting an exterior natural gas meter and causing a potentially hazardous leak.

Firefighters quickly deployed a hose line to spray water on the vehicle and surrounding area to prevent the gas from igniting. National Fuel later arrived and shut off gas service to the home while crews ventilated the building to clear any remaining fumes.

The home's occupants - including several dogs - were located and safely evacuated by emergency personnel. No injuries were reported among the residents or pets.

The male driver of the vehicle was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Authorities believe a medical episode may have caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

According to a witness, the car had been heading west on Payne Avenue before veering off the road and crashing into the house.

A building inspector was called in to assess the structural damage to the home. An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

Car Crashes Into North Tonawanda Home Prompting Evacuation Due to Gas Leak